If you need a nit to pick, Cleveland State coach suggests UK’s perimeter shooting

As recently as Tuesday, Kentucky Coach John Calipari had talked about opponents choosing to sag defenses into the lane in the hopes that Kentucky would not make perimeter shots.

Cleveland State did not sag its defense, but instead played its signature pressuring defense. But after UK’s 101-70 victory, the Vikings’ coach saw the wisdom in clogging the lane with defenders against Kentucky.

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Against Cleveland State, Kentucky made six of its first eight three-point shots to get the rout started. Malik Monk led the way, making four of four three-point shots in a 19-point first half.

Monk’s 16 three-point baskets in the first five games belies his reputation as a streaky shooter.

“I think I’m a consistent shooter,” he said.

But Calipari said he did not want Monk to become overly dependent on the perimeter shot. “I want him to drive the ball more and get to the rim,” the UK coach said. “ ... I know he can shoot threes. But I don’t want him to settle for that.”

Overall, Kentucky made a season-high nine three-point shots and shot with a season’s best 37.5-percent accuracy from beyond the arc.

Earlier in the week, Waters all but predicted Kentucky’s good perimeter shooting.

Yes, he said, opponents may play a sagging defense. “But I think eventually they’re going to figure that out,” Waters said of the Cats. “These kids are not bad shooters. They’re just not hitting shots. Eventually, when they get confident, they’ll hit the shots.”

▪ Wenyen Gabriel continued to post busy statistical lines. He had 10 points, a team-high 10 rebounds, six assists and a block. “We don’t even talk about him,” Calipari said. “ ... More people call me about Wenyen than anybody else because of how hard he works and what he does.”

Photo slideshow: Kentucky wins for first time since January

Thankful

Waters liked the early-afternoon tip. That enabled Cleveland State to return home Wednesday night.

“I want them home for Thanksgiving,” Waters said of his players.

Dribble drive

Mychal Mulder’s father, Randy, attended the game. He missed the Duquesne game in which his son set or equaled eight career highs, including 13 points and 20 minutes.

The elder Mulder saw his son set or equal five career-highs against Cleveland State: 13 points, five baskets, three three-pointers, a block and 22 minutes of playing time.

The elder Mulder drives from his home in Ontario, Canada, to most UK home games the past two seasons.

En route to the Cleveland State game, he was stopped for speeding around Butler County, Ohio. For the second time, the police gave him only a warning to slow down.

Etc.

▪ Calipari’s record as coach of the No. 1-ranked team improved to 108-11 (.908 winning percentage). Calipari has the second-most victories as the coach of a No. 1 team. He has a long way to go to have the most such victories. Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski has won 193 games with a No. 1-ranked team.

▪ On the plus side, it’s safe to say Krzyzewski will never threaten Calipari’s status as the winningest coach in Rupp Arena. The victory over Cleveland State moved Calipari past Joe B. Hall as the winningest coach in Rupp Arena. His Rupp record improved to 123-4.